16 Chapter 16: Hero’s Chronicle, Breton’s Lesson (2/2)
”I understand, thank you very much.”
”…Umm, older sister…”
”What is it?”
”If I'm not mistaken, the bank, is the financial institution that has been established in our fief recently? Why is older sister the one in charge…”
”When you think about it, does no answer come to mind? If it's just this much, even if you were to investigate on your own, you'll immediately find out… With your position, it is unforgivable for you not to know. Seriously, do you have any intention in succeeding the present Duke as the family head?” Eda said before Glass answered him.
'ignore him, he's not important right now.' Glass wanted to say but kept her mouth shut as she was speeding through paper-work
”The person who proposed the establishment of the bank was your older sister. Therefore, it is natural for me to come here and consult with her. …Now then, my Lady. I will immediately report the contents of our meeting to the council, will that be all right?”
”Of course. I look forward to your report.”
After Eda left, Sebastian appeared and replaced him.
”My Lady. In this meeting, I would like to make a collective report regarding the management of the territory.”
”Yes, I was waiting for it. First of all, how is the adjustment of the Finance department go?”
”The talk is underway for the reform you want to legislate to lessen the taxes. First, in relation to the product of our fief. Presently, our main products are grain, livestock, cacaos, and various other fruits. Cacao fruits are strictly produced in our province, and no other fief is able to produce it. As for grains, thanks to the advance cultivation method achieved by the High School division's research, we have secured an abundant stockpile. Thus, even if we lessen the tax, they were thinking that we will not experience a decline.”
”…Is that so. On the contrary, it's merit?”
”Our Provence's production line is yet to be put in order. Because of that, we can import them cheaply, and we thought that it is a big advantage. In addition, my lady's, instructions of conducting trade via sea are now in operation. And we have gathered a lot of ingredients and products that don't exist in our Kingdom. Because of this, our fief will profit if the conglomerate were to sell these domestically.”
”…I understand. Also, please give me the report of the council meeting and the income tax draft. As for when will be the right time to introduce it, I will give instructions later.”
”I understand.”
”After that, Public Affairs. After they finish making the family registers, ask them to investigate the land. I want them to get clarification on who owns what land. In the future, because the family registers will be a legitimate document here in our fief, make sure they are done without fail.”
”Yes. Presently, the Public Affairs have notified various places in our fief to advise the people. 'This is an official policy that will benefit our fief, and please cooperate with us.' We are nearly done and will be able to proceed to the investigations shortly.”
”That is splendid news. After that, what is the utilization rates of the primary school in various places?”
”It has increased tremendously. Besides, one can attend it free of charge. Because there are still some districts that don't have a school yet, that might prove to be a problem in the future.”
”Let's have the Public Works undertake that task. What about textbooks?”
”It has been separated into different levels. Currently, the children from ages seven to twelve are in the same class, but discussions have occurred to further separate them based on their individual ages sometime soon.”
”Consolidate the age of entrance to be seven years old. And they will advance a grade each school year. However, an examination will be held at the end of each year, and one will be allowed to skip a grade depending on their results, what do you think?”
”I will immediately make a proposal.”
”Then, please bring the reports and income tax drafts we talked about earlier. …Ah, that's right. Mother told me to show Berne the way we work… So, when you go to the Finance department to collect the documents and the income tax draft, please take him along with you and ask him to calculate the tax revenue of various places.”
”…Since that's the case, Breton. Please go do that for me. …Please fully demonstrate the capability of someone who has always been first place in the academy.” Glass said as she finished all the paperwork on her desk
”…Of course.”
With lifeless eyes, he frantically stood up and followed Sebastian.
[Later]
Knock, knock, a knocking sound echoed in the room.
”Come in,” Glass said with her eyes closed as she leaned back into the
deep in her chair her hand was moving a glowing white orb in front of her. ”Is there something you need?”
”Do you always work like that?”
”Yes”
”Is it all right for me to ask you one question?”
”What is it?”
”Why did you do those things to Yuri?”
Glass grabbed and crushed the white in her hand making it disappear. ”I didn't”
”Huh?”
”I didn't do a single thing to Yuri” Glass opened her eyes ”Little brother, who was it that said I did those things”
”Yuri….”
”Was it really Yuri? Or was it the third prince who said that? Tell me little brother did Yuri say from her mouth that I did those things to her”
”…..”
”Ask her yourself for the truth, tell her I said to tell you”
A few moments later Breton left, leaving Glass alone until Sebastian walked in.
”My lady, it getting late please go to bed soon
”…By the way, Sebastian. How did Breton do?”
”He did the work that was given to him splendidly.”
”I see…”
”…Just between you and me… While we were at the Financial department, he asked about you my lady. 'Does older sister always work this much?' 'Why does older sister work that much?'”
”He's forgotten so much about his older sister in these pasts few years. I still couldn't believe he would think that I would stoop so low as to bully, especially Yuri. No one can just bully Yuri.”
”You speak as if you know the girl.”
”You know her too, and so does Breton. Although neither of you don't recognize her anymore. But at least she will teach Breton a valuable lesson. Afterall her words will hurt him more than my own”
Glass stood up ”Sebastian, I'll turn in now.”